The animal's former caretaker denies there were previous health problems with a spotted leopard that has died at an Ohio zoo where it was kept since an exotic animal escape.

The leopard was euthanized at the Columbus zoo after it was hurt in a weekend accident.

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State officials say the leopard had a congenital defect that weakened its spine and might have affected the severity of its injury. They say the cat also had old broken bones that hadn't healed properly.

It was one of six animals not killed by officers when their owner released tigers and dozens of other creatures in October and then committed suicide.

Farm caretaker John Moore tells the Zanesville Times Recorder there was nothing wrong with the leopard. He says the zoo was neglectful.